Boehringer Ingelheim, Takeda and Arena Pharmaceuticals are all cutting jobs.

Takeda is restructuring its research and development efforts, concentrating on sites in the US and Japan with a focus on cancer, gastroenterology, central nervous system diseases and vaccines. The number of jobs affected will depend on union negotiations, but the company is proposing to close its R&D site in Cambridge, UK. Pharmaceutical sciences functions will also be cut at sites in Juso, Japan; London, UK; Singen, Germany; and Deerfield, US.   

Boehringer will eliminate approximately 725 positions across the US. The company has stated that many of the affected staff will be offered alternative roles, and reaffirmed its commitment to investing in developing new medicines.

Arena will lose around 100 employees (73% of its workforce) as it slashes research, manufacturing and general administrative functions. The company will focus on developing its existing pipeline of clinical candidates and supporting collaborations with Eisai, Axovant Sciences, Ildong Pharmaceuticals and Boehringer Ingelheim.